Boss booked on his own yellow lines

PHIL Swire thought a spot of paint would solve his parking problems. He was furious with motorists parking outside his firm so he painted double-yellow lines near the kerb. But the trick backfired. A traffic warden gave him a ticket when he parked there himself.

He was furious with motorists parking outside his firm so he painted double-yellow lines near the kerb.

But the trick backfired. A traffic warden gave him a ticket when he parked there himself.

Phil, 40, said: "I told him that they were not bona fide lines but he still gave me a ticket. I was furious."

Phil, owner of Woodworking Machines, in Croft Street, Bury, claimed that he had repeatedly contacted Bury Council to see if it could turn the section of road into a no parking zone.

But he said that he was told that the council could not afford to carry out the work. He added: "I sent in letters asking them to do it but I was told that they couldn't because of budget constraints. I even offered to pay for the lines myself but they were having none of it.

"It was causing an awful lot of problems for me and the business and I wanted to let people know that. It is the main access and loading route to my business. Everybody was sick of it.

"I cannot get my lorries in and out so a colleague and I bought some paint and used a brush to put down the lines. They are not even the correct width or standard.I had parked there myself quickly when the attendant approached and gave me the ticket. I was ready to fight it all the way. I painted the yellow lines myself so how can I be fined for parking illegally."

Bury Council later confirmed that the é30 parking ticket would be withdrawn.

A spokesman said the council took a "dim view" of residents taking charge of public highways and would be sending Phil a letter.

He added: "In these circumstances, we had no legal powers to issue the parking fine, although our attendant acted quite properly."

Phil said: "I'm glad it has been withdrawn but I would have fought them all the way. I will leave the lines down unless I am told to move them."